The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-24

vim % 16undsnn internal rot1eeosn. Which u re-
ysaied . publie ,xisW would sAock Every feeling
u humanity.
some Lerislassvs work Uader the
New Consultation.
We are permitted to publish the follow
ing extracts from the report of Attorney
General Cooper, now in press: -
The adoption OF new Constitution has made
necessary the revision of Considerable number
of statutes, 40 well rs much new leRislatioa, 70.
carry il into effect have thought It proper to
specify here the suhjecis which have coma to
my attention upon which legislation 10 nAces-s
sary; and also some which are left to the dsscre-
ton of the Legislature IS to whether there shall
be legislation thereon.
tuition changes the form Of the enaciing clause Of
all statutes TO be passed hereunder. Article
Ill, section Is. 1t also changes the time when
statutes 60 into effect, providing that no Law
shall take effect until sixty days from the final
adjournment of the session Of the Legislature at
provided in the act. Article Ill, section IL.
Owing to the length Of time which has elapsed
between the date at which the new Constitution
went into effect and the first session of the Leg
islature hereunder, aud also the change In the
time of meeting OF the Legislature, whereby the
ment have been exhausted, the Legislature will
doubtless find II expedient 10 numerous In
stances to provide for the immediate operation
of statutes.
II will be necessary for the Legislature to pre-
scribe the manner Of publication of notice Of the
introduction of local and special bils. Article
III, section 81.
Article Nv, section IS, gives the Governor the
power in certain cases 10 suspend certain Officers
and provides that no officer who shall be restored
after suspension, as therein provided, shall suffer
any loss Of salary or other compensation Ia con-
sequence of such suspension. The manner of
reimbursement Of such officer, and provision
therefor require legislation.
Legislation IS required to prescribe the duties
ofthe Commissioner of Agriculture in accordance
with Article Nv, section 90. and Article XVIII.
section g.
Under Article v, section II, legislation Is re-
quired to conform the jurisdiction of the County
Judge 10 this Constitution, especially IN the mat
ter of issuing licenses.
Under section 10, Article V, the Legislature
may establish County Courts with the common
law and criminal Jurisdiction therein specified
Considering the greatly increased expenses which
will fall upon The State in criminal prosecutions
under this Constitution, as hereinafter shown,
the wisdom or expediency Of establishing these
County Courts, mt least at this time, may well be
doubted. Experience in this State Is not favor
able 10 them. They were one of the most ex-
pensive aud unsaisfnctOry features of the Origi
nal Constitution of 1853 contributed largely TO
the condition OF bankruptcy into which the State
aud many Of the counties fell during those IN
fortunate times, and were abolished by the votes
Of all parties. Another difficulty is that TO con-
duct the criminal prosecutions 10 such courts a
prosecuting attorney is necessary, who is re-
quired To be elected, and who cannot be elected
under section 10. Of Article XVII, until the gen.
eral election of 1885,
..F IL
provide for the establishment of justice districts,
and elections oil justices Of the peace.
Legislation is required by section %, Article
V, especially to prescribe regulations for the
trial of criminal cases ON appeal from justices
courts.
Sections "a to 80. Inclusive, of Article v, re-
late 10 a criminal court of record in Escambia
county. which requires legislation. The Legis-
lature may establish such court in other cOun-
ties on petition. of a majority of the registered
voters.
As the clerk of this court IL tn be elected, and
under section TO- Article XVIII, the first elec-
ton Of all elective county officers lie 10 be at the
this court can be put In operation before that
time.
By section 2, of Article vi, the Legislature ia
required to provide by law, at its first session
under this Constitution, for the registration of
voters and returns of elections.
empowered to make the payment of the capita
ton tax prerequisite for voting.
Section 8. Of Article VII, requires this Legis
lature, OF 1887, 10 make an appOrtiOnment of
members of both Houses of the Legislature to
he elected thereafter.
By section 3, of Article VIII, the Legislature
is empowered to establish new counties and to
change county lines.
Section B, Article VIII, requires the Legisla-
ture to provide for The division of each county
into districts for the selection of County Com
missioners
Section 8, Of Article VIII, requires the Legis.
lature 10 provide for the election OF the county
officers therein named.
Under section 2, Article VIII, the Legisla-
ture is required to prescribe the sums and con-
ditOns oil the bonds Of county offlcera
Section IA, of Article XII, requires the Legis-
lature at its first session, 10 provide for Normal
Schools, not to exceed two"
Section 2, of Article XIII, provides that
State prison shall be established and maintained
in such manner as may be prescribed by law,
and that house OF refuge for juvenile offenders,
and a home and wOrkhouse for common va.
grants may be established. do not understand
this section 10 require any change in the present
State prison system, which, for the present at least
seems the best for the Stale and convicis. Work
IN the open air Of pine forests, whereby they re,
lieve the State of all expense Of their keeping
and maintenance, certainly seems preferable 10
shutting them up 10 some building at great ex.
pense 10 The taxpayers.
II Is submitted that, if the Legislature feels
able to incur any new expense In these matters,
the arst object for such appropriation should be-
the house Of refuge for juvenile offenders, and
home and wOfkhOuse tor vagrants, both on ac-
count OF humanity, and as tending in some de-
gree. at least, to cut off crime nj its sources.
Under Article XIV, it is necessary that legisla-
ton be had on the subject of the public health.
Under section 8, Of Article XVI, the Legisla.
ture may provide for donation OF lands 10 actual
settlers.
Section 8, of Article XVI, will operate to
transfer the payment of expenses of the prusecu-
ton oil criminals heretofore paid by the counties,
or by the persons charged with crime, wholly or
In large part to the State.
The increase of expense TO the State will be
very large-probably nearly 100000 Legisla.
ton Is required on the subject; especially to
secure strict auditing, aud 10 keep these expenses
within honest and economical bounds
BY section ~. OF Article XVI, the Legislature
is required 10 provide for deductions from sala.
ries OF officers for non performance of duties.
Section 20. Article XVI, requires that me-
chanics and lab0rers be given an adequate lien
on the subject matter Of their labor
Section 81, Article XVI, requires the Legisla.
ture to appropriate at least $500 each year for
The purchase Of books for the Supreme Court
library.
Section 90, Article XVI, empowers The Leeis-
lalure to provide for drainage of land of one
person through that Of another, upon jus. COM
pensation.
Section 90, Article XVI, concerning condem.
nation OF properly, requires legislation.
Section 80, Article XVI, empowers the Leeis.
iature to pass laws 10 prevent abuses, discrimi-
and